Cat Moving Tips

Why do cats keep yowling and not even eat after moving?

Moving is a stressful event for both humans and cats, especially since cats are highly sensitive animals and can easily feel nervous and anxious when entering a new environment!

In addition to frequent purring, stress may prevent the cat from eating and excreting properly, leading to further health problems.

Fortunately, we can begin to prepare before the move to help our cats get used to the new comfortable environment!

Why do cats keep yowling and not even eat after moving?

How to help your cat adapt to the new environment? Moving in 3 stages to make your cat feel at ease!

The more your cat's emotions are stabilized, the faster it will adapt to the new living environment. We can divide the plan into 3 stages according to the “moving time” and prepare the necessary items for your cat in advance:

(1) Before moving

Pre-movement space

Before the move, the cat can be left in a fixed space so that it will not easily feel the changes in the home.

● Maintain the original routine

Do not move the cat's daily belongings, including the litter box, bowls and scratching boards, and maintain the usual dietary routine.

● Adapting to the cage in advance

Plumber can prepare the cage in advance for use during the move, placing clothes and quilts with their scent, or relaxing items such as polygonum and catnip inside, and then placing them in the cat's activity space, so that the cat can get used to the cage earlier!

(2) Moving day

● Exclusive space before moving

Before you start moving, you can clear out an empty room and set up daily necessities so that your cat can go to the toilet, eat and rest in it.

● Final organization of the cat's belongings

Cat litter boxes, feed bowls, water bowls, and other items often used by cats must be organized at the end of the moving process!

● Reduce contact with strangers

Moving is already anxiety-provoking for cats, and contact with strangers is likely to cause more emotional upset!

● Use a safe and secure cage at all times.

It is best to choose a safe and concealable cage for your cat, so that your cat will not be so sensitive to external changes!

Use an outside litter box

If your cat and Fluffy are moving a long distance away, you can prepare an outside litter box to meet your cat's physiological needs.

(3) After moving

A new and exclusive space

As in the previous two stages, cats are usually the first to adapt to a fixed space. After moving into the new home, prioritize the arrangements for the cat and its daily necessities!

Allow the cat to explore the new environment

Open the cat's cage and allow the cat to get out of it and explore and get used to its new environment.

● Familiar scents

Place owner's clothes and objects with the smell of the old house in the cat's living space to help it adapt quickly.

● Use of cat pheromones

Pheromones have a very good stabilizing effect on the cat's mood, and using the right amount of cat pheromones after the move can help it relax.

● Guide the cat to eat in a relaxed manner

Cats can easily be anxious and unable to eat in a new environment, so you can use the cat's favorite canned food and snacks to persuade the cat to eat. It is better to have food than no food at all!

How long does it take for a cat to adapt to a new environment? 3 Possible Reasons for Extended Acclimatization Time!

For the average cat, a week or two is enough time for them to adapt to their new environment. However, the following factors may also affect the adaptation time of cats!

(1) Cat's personality

If your cat is a timid and fearful type, it will take more time to adapt to a new and unfamiliar environment.

(2) Cat's traumatic experiences

Cats that have experienced traumatic experiences such as abuse, abandonment, wandering, etc. will make it more difficult for the cat to adapt to the uncertainties brought about by the unfamiliar environment.

(3) The presence of other unfamiliar cats

If the moving destination has other cats that already live in the environment, your cat, in addition to adapting to the unfamiliar environment, will need more time to get to know and get along with the other cats before it can really integrate.

When your cat encounters the above conditions, you need to be more ready to pay attention to your cat's adaptation status!

How do kittens adapt to their new environment after moving? Different considerations than adult cats!

Many people are concerned that kittens are more difficult to adapt than adult cats when faced with environmental changes such as moving. Below are a few ways to help kittens adapt to the environment:

1. Establish an exclusive space

As with adult cats, prepare an exclusive living space for the kitten in advance and place living necessities in it to help it explore the environment and stabilize its mood!

2. Setting up a rich environment

You can use cat jumping platforms, cat scratching boards, cat toys and other items to build up the kitten's freshness in exploring the environment.

3. Maintain environmental safety

Kittens may accidentally fall into crises while exploring the environment, such as narrow gaps, plastic bags, cleaning products, etc. Make sure the environment is safe and secure.

4. Ensure the environment is peaceful

Kittens are more susceptible to loud noises and excessive human traffic, so the living space for kittens should be as quiet as possible.

5. Pay close attention

Kittens need more company than adult cats, and must be paid attention to and cared for in the process of adapting to the new environment.

Cat Adjustment to New Environment FAQ Q&A!

(1) Why do cats keep hiding after moving?

For more timid or sensitive cats, it is normal that anxiety will cause them to hide. You can prepare suitable hiding places for your cat, such as cardboard boxes, cat jumping platforms and other safe areas to prevent your cat from hiding in dangerous places.

(2) Why doesn't my cat eat, drink or go to the toilet after moving?

Not eating, not drinking and not going to the toilet is also a sign of the cat's anxious behavior in the face of an unfamiliar environment.

If your cat is unable to eat normally, you can first try to use your cat's favorite food and snacks to promote its appetite and observe its defecation. If your cat cannot eat or defecate for more than three days, it is recommended to seek professional veterinary assistance

(3) What should I do if my cat keeps barking after moving?

A cat that keeps howling in the middle of the night after moving is also a sign of anxiety and usually improves dramatically as time passes.

During this period, Mrs. Plough may try to provide more care and companionship, and improve the playtime with the cat, which can effectively reduce the cat's anxiety!